Bottas plays down 'damaged' Mercedes F1 relationship rumours

Bottas criticised Mercedes for its decision to keep him on a one-stop strategy at the Circuit Paul Ricard, saying over team radio mid-race: "Why the f-ck does no one listen to me when I say it's going to be a two-stopper?!" F---ing hell."

With Bottas consistently rumoured to be on his way out at the end of the season in favour of Williams’ George Russell, there are suggestions that his relationship with the team has worsened.

Bottas’ refusal to move over for Hamilton in Barcelona, while Toto Wolff initially blaming him for the botched pit stop in Monaco were examples of things potentially going sour.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Styrian Grand Prix, Bottas responded to the rumours, saying: "BS, I’m going to be very direct on that, that perception is completely false, we have a good relationship with the team. There’s no issues and that kind of situations are normal. I’m sure not all the things that are said are being broadcasted.

"Also, in the past. What has brought us, as a team, this far is that we are always being direct, always being honest with your feelings, if you feel there’s room for improvement, so it’s nothing new and everything is good."

As a response to his radio message in France, team boss Wolff welcomed Bottas' criticism.

The former Williams driver says his open criticism of the team isn’t new for this season.

"I always try everything I can, and when you approach a new year you always try to find more from yourself," Bottas added. "I always want to maximize my result, my team’s result. Like I said earlier, nobody knows the discussions, the kind of constructive meetings we have with the team between the races and in the race weekends.

"I don’t think it’s anything new, I always try to be direct. I’m glad if he liked but, obviously, I wasn’t happy in that situation. But that’s racing, emotions, it’s so hard to describe the feelings when you are in the car, we’re not in a tea party, we’re in an elite top sport and I want to do well, I want the team to do well.  There are emotions, even for a Finn!"